TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand and its biological functions

TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a type II transmembrane protein in TNF family. TRAIL influences a variety of immunological functions including cellular activation, proliferation and death, upon interation with a corresponding super family of receptors. This article is about the new views on the biological functions of TRAIL.     

Effect of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on virus-induced apoptosis in a human islet β cell line

AIM: To study role of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in virus-induced apoptosis in a human islet β cell line, CM cell line. METHODS: Using annexin-V assay to compare Coxsackie virus B (CVB)-induced apoptosis with Rubella virus (RV)-induced apoptosis in a CM cell line; using four kinds of soluble receptors of TRAIL and anti-TRAIL McAb to block the virus-induced apoptosis. RESULTS: 5PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 5 hours , there were more than 30% apoptotic CM cells; 0.01PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 24 hours, there were more than 80% apoptotic CM cells; 10PFU of CVB3 and CVB4 contacted with CM cells for 24 hours, there were only less than 25% apoptotic CM cells; soluble receptors of TRAIL and anti-TRAIL McAb could block CVB-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSION: CM cell line is more sensitive to CVB and TRAIL plays a role in CVB-induced apoptosis.     

Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat sensitizes TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand-induced apoptosis in human colon cancer cell line DLD-1

AIM: To explore the influence of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat on TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)-mediated apoptosis in human colon cancer cell line DLD-1 and its possible mechanism. METHODS: Adenovirus-mediated TRAIL gene AD/hTERT-gTRAIL was applied either alone or by combination with Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat in human colon DLD-1 cell line. Cell growth and apoptosis were measured by inverted microscope, MTT method and flow cytometry. The expression of TRAIL mRNA, TRAIL-Rs mRNA and TRAIL protein expression after exposure to Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat were measured by semi-quantitive RT-PCR and FACS, respectively. RESULTS: The suppression percentages and apoptotic rate of DLD-1 by Ad/hTERT-gTRAIL alone were 31.4% and 13.5%, respectively. Combination of TRAIL gene transfection with Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat, the suppression and the apoptosis rate raised to 93.1% and 45.4%, respectively (P<0.05). The expression of TRAIL mRNA was upregulated from 0.46 to 1.01 by Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat (P<0.05). The percentage of TRAIL protein expression increased from 2.2% to 5.0%. DR4 mRNA and DR5 mRNA were upregulated from 0.70, 0.22 to 1.10, 0.83, respectively (P<0.01), while DcR1 mRNA, DcR2 mRNA were downregulated from 1.60, 1.15 to 0.19, 0.78, respectively (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ad/hTERT-gTRAIL induced apoptosis in DLD-1.Combination of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat with Ad/hTERT-gTRAIL enhanced the effect. The upregulation of TRAIL death receptors as well as the downregulation of TRAIL decoy receptors may play an important role.     

Manumycin inhibits the activity of breast cancer cell line SK-BR-3 via inducing apoptosis

AIM: To investigate the anticancer effect of manumycin on abdominal metastatic breast cancer cell line - SK-BR-3 and its relationship with p38 MAPK. METHODS: The test of anticancer effect was performed by the method of MTT, apoptosis induced by manumycin and affected by SB203580, a specific p38 MAPK inhibitor, were examined by caspase-3 activity assay kit, and the protein expression was detected by immunoblotting assay. RESULTS: The inhibition rates at 24 h after treatment with manumycin of 6 μmol/L, 18 μmol/L, 54 μmol/L were (7.4±3.9)%, (21.0±4.4)% and (64.7±4.1)%, respectively and showed dosage-effect relationship. Compared with the control group, the survival rates of the last two treatment groups were decreased significantly (P<0.01). The value of IC₅₀ 24 h after treatment with manumycin was 42.5 μmol/L. Manumycin simultaneously activated caspase-3 protein, which was partly blocked by p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580. The results of immunoblotting showed that manumycin increased p38 MAPK protein phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Manumycin exerts anticancer effect on SK-BR-3 cell line via inducing cell apoptosis, which is partly regulated by p38 MAPK.     

The effect of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on the activity of nuclear kappa B in prostate cancer cell line PC-3M

AIM: To investigate the activation and inactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) when tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is applied to induce the apoptosis of androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3M.METHODS: After the treatment of TRAIL or LPS at different doses, we tested the nuclear translocation of NF-κB by cell immunohistochemical staining and electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA), and evaluated the level of IκB by RT-PCR under pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment. RESULTS: EMSA and cell immunohistochemical analysis showed that the translocation of NF-κB was significantly activated when PC-3M cells were treated with TRAIL or LPS (P<0.05). The pretreatment of PDTC upregulated the expression of IκB and blocked the nuclear translocation of NF-κB.CONCLUSION: TRAIL remarkably stimulates the activation of nuclear NF-κB in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. On the other hand, the translocation of NF-κB can be significantly and efficiently inhibited in PC-3M cells by pretreatment with PDTC. The increased expression of IκB might be a clue for this inhibition, which means the possible way to enhance the effect of TRAIL in the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells.     

Manumycin inhibits activity of pancreatic duct cancer cell line Panc-1 via inducing apoptosis

AIM: In this study, we investigated the anticancer effect and mechanisms of manumycin on pancreatic cancer cell line-Panc-1 and the role of p38MAPK pathway in apoptosis. METHODS: The test of anticancer effect was performed by MTT assay. Apoptosis was induced in the cells by manumycin and then treated with SB203580, a specific p38MAPK inhibitor. A quantitative caspase-3 activity assay kit was used in this experiment. RESULTS: Manumycin (6 μmol/L, 18 μmol/L, 54 μmol/L) significantly inhibited cell growth of pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1. The inhibition rates 24 h after treatment with 6 μmol/L, 18 μmol/L and 54 μmol/L manumycin were 8.9%, 21.9% and 67.0%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the survival levels of the last two groups were of significant statistical difference (P<0.01). The anticancer effects also showed dosage-effect relationship, the value of IC50 24 h after treatment was 34.7 μmol/L. In addition, this reagent simultaneously activated caspase-3 protein, which was partly blocked by p38MAPK specific inhibitor, SB203580. CONCLUSION: Manumycin exerted anticancer effect on Panc-1 cell line via inducing cell apoptosis, which was partly regulated by p38MAPK.     

Effect of microRNA-100 on proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM：To investigate the effect of microRNA-100 (miR-100) on the proliferation activity and cell cycle of hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS：Synthetic miR-100 mimic and its negative control were transfected into human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells by liposome method. After transfection, the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to measure the cell proliferation activity. The cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry. The expression of Polo-like kinase 1 (Plk1) at mRNA and protein levels was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blotting. RESULTS：The transfection efficiency mediated by cationic liposome was greater than 85%. The inhibitory rates of cell proliferation in HepG2 cells were (43.5±12.2)%, (46.5±3.7)% and (52.1±0.2)% at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfected with miR-100 mimic, respectively, which were significantly increased as compared with the control cells. Moreover, the cell proliferation index in experimental group (35.8 ± 1.4) was higher than that in negative control group (39.2 ± 1.0) and simple liposome group (40.7 ± 2.0) at 72 h. At the same time, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Plk1 obviously decreased in HepG2 cells transfected with miR-100 at 72 h after transfection. CONCLUSION：miR-100 suppresses the proliferation activity of hepatocarcinoma cells by down-regulating Plk1 gene expression.     

Effect of arctigenin on apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1

AIM: To investigate the effect of arctigenin on the apoptosis of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-1 and its potential mechanism. METHODS: The inhibition of cell viability was analyzed by CCK-8 assay. The activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 was analyzed by caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity kit. Apoptotic cell percentage was evaluated by Annexin V-PI staining. The expression of PI3K/AKT/XIAP signal pathway-related molecules at mRNA and protein levels was analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS: Arctigenin inhibited the cell activity in a dose- and time-dependent manner after treatment with arctigenin at concentrations of 10, 20, 40 and 80 μmol/L for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h (P<0.01). Arctigenin also increased the activity of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and the apoptotic rate (P<0.05), and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of PI3K/AKT/XIAP signal pathway-related molecules (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Arctigenin induces the apoptosis of CNE-1 cells through PI3K/AKT/XIAP signal pathway.     

Effect of Ginsenoside Rh2 on apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63

AIM: To investigate the effect of Ginsenoside Rh2(Rh2) on the apoptosis of human osteosarcoma cell line MG-63.METHODS: The cell viability was determined by MTT assay. MG-63 cell apoptotic rate was examined by flow cytometry with Annexin V-PI double staining. The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, cytochrome C(Cyt C) and cleaved caspase-3 were measured by Western blot.RESULTS: Rh2 enhanced the apoptosis of MG-63 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, after treatment with Rh2, the release of mitochondrial Cyt C and Bax expression were increased, while Bcl-2 and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax were decreased as compared with control group(P<0.05). The protein level of cleaved caspase-3 was also increased(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rh2 accelerates the apoptosis of MG-63 cells through mitochondria-dependent pathway, suggesting that Rh2 is a novel approach for the treatment of osteosarcoma.     

AMembrane-bound ligand-dependent bystander effect of the TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)

AIM：To investigate the mechanism of bystander effect caused by TRAIL gene.METHODS：Bystander target cells were transduced with an adenovector expressing the lacZ gene (Ad/Lac-Z),while effector cells were transduced with an adenovector expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP)/TRAIL fusion gene (Ad/g-TRAIL).Effector and target cells were cocultured in the same well with or without effector and target cell contact using a Transwell plate.RESULTS：A series of different cancer cell lines of different tissue origin were tested for the bystander effect,including human colon cancer cell lines DLD1,human lung cancer cell line A549,human hepatoma cell line Hep G2,human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB231 and human ovarian cancer cell line DOV13.No detectable soluble TRAIL (s-TRAIL) was found from the TRAIL-expressing cell cultures in all of the cell lines.Target cells were killed only when effector and target cells were mixed.The bystander effect and apoptosis induction of TRAIL was dramatically reduced if cells were seeded at a very low density.FACS analysis showed a high apoptosis percentage in high density group in DOV13,morphologically,the effector cells were surrounded by the apoptotic bystander cells.CONCLUSION：The bystander effect of the TRAIL gene is mainly mediated by membrane-bound TRAIL on the surface of transduced cells through cell-cell contacts.     

IFN-γ reinforces the inhibitory effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand on apoptosis of human colon cancer cell line RKO cells

AIM: To explore the influence of IFN-γ on the role of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in inducing apoptosis of RKO cell line. METHODS: Survival fraction and apoptosis were measured by MTT method and flow cytometry (FACS). RESULTS: Survival fraction of IFN-γ group, TRAIL and IFN-γ 72 h+TRAIL group were 99.28%, 85.45%, 52.60%, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells of IFN-γ group, TRAIL group, IFN-γ 24 h+TRAIL group, IFN-γ 48 h+TRAIL and IFN-γ 72 h+TRAIL group were 1.51%, 2.38%, 4.97%, 13.30%, 21.00%, respectively. The percentage of apoptotic cells of IFN-γ 24 h+TRAIL group was higher than the sum of IFN-γ group and TRAIL group (P<0.01). The longer the IFN-γ pretreated, the higher the percentage of apoptotic cells was observed (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: IFN-γ can reinforce the effect of TRAIL inducing apoptosis in RKO.     

Effect of Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor on biological behavior of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line RBE

AIM: To investigate the effect of cyclopamine, a Hedgehog(Hh) signaling pathway inhibitor, on the biological behavior of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma cell line RBE. METHODS: The proliferation of RBE cells was detected by cell counting with Typan blue staining and MTT assay, and the apoptosis was analyzed by the flow cytometry. The Transwell invasive cabin assay was used to detect the invasion ability, and Western blot was used to determine the protein expression of Gli1 and MMP-9 in the RBE cells before and after cyclopamine treatment. RESULTS: Cyclopamine inhibited the growth of RBE cells in a time-and dose-dependent manner. After cyclopamine treatment for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, the apoptotic rates were significantly higher than those in control group. In control group, the number of cells invading through the Matrigel of invasion chamber was 154.52±13.61, while in experimental group it was 62.00±12.17, indicating that the invasion ability of the cells declined significantly. Furthermore, Western blot showed that the protein levels of Glil and MMP-9 in the RBE cells were decreased after treatment with cyclopamine for 24 h and 48 h. CONCLUSION: Blockage of the Hh signaling pathway with cyclopamine suppresses the proliferation, promotes the apoptosis and inhibits the invasion ability of RBE cells.     

Effect of Rip2 overexpression on apoptosis in human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1

AIM: To observe the effect of receptor-interacting protein 2 (Rip2) overexpression on human pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1. METHODS: pEGFP-C2 and pEGFP-Rip2 plasmids were respectively transfected into the Panc-1 cells using JetPRIME reagent. The cells were divided into control group, pEGFP-C2 group and pEGFP-Rip2 group. The apoptosis in the cells was detected 48 h after transfection by flow cytometry. Rip2 level and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins, Bax, cytoplasmic cytochrome c (Cyt-c) and Bcl-2, were analyzed by Western blot. The activity of caspase-3 was measured by colorimetric method. RESULTS: Rip2 protein expression significantly increased in the cells transfected with control and pEGFP-C2 plasmids. The apoptotic rate in pEGFP-Rip2 group was higher than that in control group and pEGFP-C2 group, whereas no significant difference of apoptotic rate was observed between control group and pEGFP-C2 group. The protein expression of Bax and cytoplasmic Cyt-c was remarkably increased and the protein expression of Bcl-2 was obviously decreased in pEGFP-Rip2 group as compared with control group and pEGFP-C2 group. The activity of caspase-3 in pEGFP-Rip2 group was obviously increased as compared with control group and pEGFP-C2 group. CONCLUSION: Overexpression of Rip2 is able to induce apoptosis in the Panc-1 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of Bax and cytoplasmic Cyt-c protein expression, down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein expression and enhancement of caspase-3 activity, thus activating intrinsic apoptotic pathway.     

Effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells

AIM: To investigate the expression of microRNA-141 (miR-141) in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line SMMC-7721 and normal hepatocyte line HL-7702, and to analyze the effect of abnormal expression of miR-141 on the malignant biological behaviors of human hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS: The RNA from SMMC-7721 cells and HL-7702 cells was extracted. SYBR Green real-time PCR was performed to detect the expression of miR-141. Synthetic miR-141 mimic and its negative control were transfected into the SMMC-7721 cells, and miR-141 inhibitor and its negative control were transfected into the HL-7702 cells by the method of Lipofectamine. After transfection, MTS assay and BrdU-ELISA were employed to evaluate the effect of miR-141 on the cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. The changes of migration ability were investigated by Transwell invasion assay. RESULTS: The expression of miR-141 in the SMMC-7721 cells was significantly lower than that in the HL-7702 cells (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of the SMMC-7721 cells transfected with 25 nmol/L miR-141 mimic was significantly inhibited in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). The percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly increased when miR-141 was up-regulated, but the migration ability was inhibited (P < 0.05). Compared with blank group, Lipofectamine group and negative control group, the proliferation of HL-7702 cells transfected with 50 nmol/L miR-141 inhibitor was significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). When miR-141 was down-regulated, the percentages of G₁ phase cells and early apoptotic rate were significantly decreased, but the migration ability was enhanced (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: miR-141 is down-regulated in human hepatocarcinoma cell line. Up-regulation of miR-141 will not only inhibit cell proliferation and migration ability, but also affect the cell cycle and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells. miR-141 may function as a tumor suppressor gene during HCC development.     

Effect of extract of Oratosquilla oratoria on telomerase activity in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line

AIM: To study the inhibitory effect and its mechanisms of the extract of Oratosquilla oratoria (EOS) on the activity of telomerase in human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE-2Z. METHODS: MTT assay was used to determine the effect of different doses of EOS on the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells. The activity of telomerase was analyzed by TRAP-ELISA. The mRNA expression of hTERT was determined by RT-PCR, and the protein expression of c-Myc was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: EOS inhibited the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Telomerase activity was decreased, the mRNA expression of hTERT and c-Myc in CNE-2Z cells was also decreased (P<0.01) by the treatment of EOS. The correlation between the down-regulatory expression of hTERT mRNA and inhibitory expression of c-Myc protein (P<0.05) under the condition of EOS exposure was observed. CONCLUSION: EOS inhibits the proliferation of CNE-2Z cells by reducing the activity of telomerase, which is related with the inhibitory expression of hTERT mRNA caused by the decrease in c-Myc production.     

Trichosanthin-induced apoptosis in melanoma B-16 cell line

AIM: To investigate the antitumor effect and mechanism of trichosanthin (TCS) on melanoma B-16 cells.METHODS: (1) The injury of B-16 cells by trichosanthin was observed with SCGE and hoechst33258 staining method.(2) LCSM and specificity fluorescent probe Fluo-3/AM,H₂DCF-DA,DAF-FM diacetate were applied to analyze the dynamic changes of Ca²⁺,ROS and NO in single cell cultured with TCS.Simultaneously,the relationship between ROS,NO and increase of Ca²⁺ was also revealed.RESULTS: (1)When treated with TCS (50 mg/L) for 3 h and 6 h,neither cytotoxicity assay nor SCGE showed the differences compared with control group.After 12 h incubation,specificity phenomena of DNA injury-comet tail appeared in SCGE and chromatin condensation even apoptotic body formation were seen by Hoechst33258 staining.（2） TCS (50 mg/L) evoked rapid enhancement of the production of Ca²⁺,ROS and NO in the cell and the differences between TCS and control group had statistical significance (P<0.01).Augment of ROS and NO was involved in the increase of Ca²⁺.CONCLUSION: Trichosanthin has relatively strong cytotoxicity on melanoma B-16 cells and contributes to apoptosis as well.Trichosanthin-induced apoptosis is related to the increase of Ca²⁺,NO and ROS in the cells.     

Effect of gambogic acid on proliferation and apoptosis of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY-1

AIM: To investigate the effects of gambogic acid (GA) on the proliferation and apoptosis of human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cells. METHODS: Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell line OCI-LY-19 was treated with GA. The cell viability and proliferation were evaluated by MTS assay. The morphological changes of the cells were observed under inverted microscope and fluorescence microscope with PI staining. The cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The changes of proteasome-related proteins Ubs, Bax, HSP90 and IκB-α, the apoptosis-related proteins PARP, pro-caspase-3 and caspase-8, and the proliferation-associated molecules ERK and STAT5 were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: The proliferation of OCI-LY-19 cells was inhibited and the apoptosis was induced by GA. The expression of Ubs, Bax and HSP90 was up-regulated by GA treatment in a dose-dependent manner. The PARP protein was cleaved. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins pro-caspase-3 and pro-caspase-8, and proliferation-associated molecules p-Akt, p-ERK and p-STAT5 were down-regulated by GA treatment in a dose- and time-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: Gambogic acid down-regulates the activity of proteasome, inhibits cell proliferation and promotes cell apoptosis of diffuse large B cell lymphoma.     

Effect of fucoidan on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in human breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7

AIM: To investigate the effects and related mechanism of fucoidan on the proliferation and apoptosis in breast carcinoma cell line MCF-7. METHODS: MCF-7 cells were treated with different concentrations of fucoidan (100 mg/L, 300 mg/L, 500 mg/L, 1 000 mg/L) for 48 h. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Apoptosis morphological and biochemical changes were detected by Hoechst 33258 staining and agarose gel electrophoresis. The expression of 〖STBX〗bcl-2〖STBZ〗 and bax was examined by RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: Fucoidan at different concentrations (100 mg/L, 300 mg/L, 500 mg/L, 1 000 mg/L) effectively inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells (P<0.01). The inhibitory ratio and apoptosis rate increased in a concentration-dependent manner. Agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA revealed the characteristic “ladder” pattern of apoptosis. Fucoidan down-regulated the expression of 〖STBX〗bcl-2〖STBZ〗 and up-regulated bax in the levels of mRNA and protein. The ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax decreased as the concentrations of fucoidan increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Fucoidan inhibits the cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis, and the apoptosis is related to the down-regulation of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and up-regulation of apoptotic protein Bax.     

Effects of the grub extract on apoptosis of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line

AIM: To investigate the apoptotic pathway of MCF-7 breast cancer induced by the grub extract in vitro.METHODS: MTT assay was used to determine the effect of the grub extract on proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line and cell toxicity. Morphological changes of the apoptosis in cancer cells were observed by HE staining through invert microscope, light microscope, AO/EB double fluorescent staining under fluorescent microscope. FCM was used to assay the change of apoptotic rate. The expression of Bcl-2, Fas, caspase-9, caspase-3 in apoptotic pathway was detected with immunocytochemical method before and after exposure to the grub extract, and the effect of that on apoptotic pathway was explored.RESULTS: (1) The MTT test showed that the growth of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line was significantly inhibited by the grub extract in dose and time dependent manners. The inhibitory rate in exposure group was significantly different from that in control group (P<0.01). (2) Morphological changes of apoptosis including nuclear condensation, fragment and apoptosis body formation were observed by invert microscope. (3) The MCF-7 human breast cancer cells in experimental group by HE staining showed nuclear condensation and blue-black, cytoplasm slight red, nuclear chromatin condensation and fragment shape, apoptosis body formations. (4) Apoptosis in the experimental group was observed by AO/EB double fluorescent staining under fluorescent microscope. (5) FCM assay indicated that apoptotic rate increased significantly in time dependent manner in experimental group. (6) The expression of Bcl-2 was down-regulated, while that of Fas, caspase-3, caspase-9 was up-regulated, compared with control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: (1) The proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line can be inhibited significantly by the grub extract in vitro. (2)The mechanism of effect of the grub extract on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line might be mediated by down-regulation of Bcl-2 and up-regulation of Fas, caspase-3, caspase-9. This type of apoptosis starting and performing is through death receptor pathway and mitochondrial pathway.